Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

Yes, ISS is really moving so as to maintain orbit at roughly 210 to 250 miles above Earth She travels at approximately 17500 mph ( 5 miles per second) and orbits Earth once every 90 minutes. Weighing just shy of one million pounds, ISS can comfortably fit over a football field (including. the end zones.) The crew(s) conduct a host of microgravity research. To garner complete knowledge regarding ISS, please visit www.nasa.gov

NASA encourages children to engage themselves in learning about the space programs of which there are a number currently going on at this time.

I would love to see a future astronaut hail from our beautiful Virgin Islands! So kids, "If you dream it, you can do it!" Trust me.

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

ISS will be visible during the evening hours once again this coming week:

Wed., Oct 12th
Time: @ 7:19 PM
A 3 minute run
@45 degrees MAX Elevation
Arriving from the WSW and Departing to the NNW
Note She can be initially spotted (@15 degrees over the WSW horizon)

Thurs., Oct. 13th
Time @ 6:21 PM
A 6 minute run
@ 45 degrees MAX Elevation
Arriving from the SSW and Departing to the NE
Note: She can be initially spotted (@ 11 degrees over the SSW horizon)

Timing is exact (use cellphone clock) - She will appear as a non-blinking bright light gliding across the night sky. There are currently 3 crew members on board who also appreciate your interest in ISS!

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

thanks again swans!! awesome!! was it me or where i was situated east end..did the shuttle seem a lttle higher and moving a little slower than the last few times?we waved as usual,how well can they see us??just washed my hair and made sure i took the towel off my head..vanity always reigns supreme just kidding thanks again!!

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

I was just laying out on my lounge chair and saw a white non-blinking light go over from West to East. It looked like a star, but not a shooting star as it didn't leave a "tail". Can anyone tell me what it was? Thanks!!!

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

LItoVI: You saw a satellite. For about 2 hours after sunset, you can see a random satellite going past every 5 minutes or so. None are nearly as bright as ISS, but if the skies are clear and there's no light pollution, you can see them.

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

ISS should be stunning as she passes over the VIs during her next two visits before returning to early morning sighting opportunities this coming week.

Monday - Nov. 7th
@ 6:32 PM
A 6 min. run - Overhead
Arriving From the NNW and Departing To the SE (NNW to SE)

Wednesday - Nov. 9th
@ 6:14 PM
A 6 min. run - 40 degrees over the horizon
Arriving From the WNW and Departing To the SSE (WNW to SSE)

(Lily: To answer your questions re: speed and can the crew see details of Earth from ISS: At times ISS will seem to be moving faster (Overhead runs mainly) as compared to their sighting positions closer to and outward over the horizon - at more of a distance from our line of view, if you will. However, they are always moving at approximately 17,500 mph - the speed required to maintain orbit @ 210 to 250 miles above Earth.

Can they see us? With the technological advances of satellite systems available today and in the future, well...before waving to them, I'd probably remove the towel, too, after washing my hair....:as you said, "vanity always reigns supreme!"

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

ISS should be stunning as she passes over the VIs during her next two visits before returning to early morning sighting opportunities this coming week.

Monday - Nov. 7th
@ 6:32 PM
A 6 min. run - Overhead
Arriving From the NNW and Departing To the SE (NNW to SE)

Wednesday - Nov. 9th
@ 6:14 PM
A 6 min. run - 40 degrees over the horizon
Arriving From the WNW and Departing To the SSE (WNW to SSE)

Swan

Lily: It is a pleasure to post updates of ISS sighting opportunities; and your interest - along with those of our other friends of ISS - do not go unappreciated by the agencies responsible for her: NASA (USA), RKA (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (European), and CSA (Canada).
Many, many thanks!

Re: ISS (Intn'l Spacestation) Sightings over the Virgin Islands

QuoteJohnnyWishbone
Hi, I'm going to be on STT from12/8 to 12/16. Does anyone know if the ISS will be overhead within those dates? Can it be seen with the naked eye? Thanks, Johnny

Welcome to the USVI Message Board Johnny,

The sighting opportunities schedule for December will be received approximately at the end of this month and - if you follow this thread topic - you will see my posting(s) of the best "sightings and run times" over the Virgin Islands. IF ISS is going to be visiting the VIs, I post the information at least two days in advance; also, these fly-overs are in the evening (although ISS does pass over during early morning hours - eg. 4:30 AM to 6:00 AM or so.) For obvious reasons, the AM sightings I do not post....unless someone requests them.

The "detailed structures" of ISS (Solar Panels, Labs...etc) which comprise the nearly one million pound "Football Field" size station, can not be seen with the naked eye, but CAN if one uses binoculars. Consequently, what you would easily see with the naked eye is a Bright - Non-blinking Light, gliding in silence across the darkened sky.

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